by Paul MagnoOk, at the risk of irritating all those who would blindly believe that Manny Pacquiao sits on a throne of benevolent love and spends his free time curing cancer kids while Floyd Mayweather cowers under a rock, looking to steal peanut butter cookies from girl scouts...here I go.
Manny's to blame for this mess and he should rightfully carry the stigma for the collapse of The Fight of the Millennium.
I do hope you know that...
Regardless of whether you love Manny and hate Floyd, the reality of the matter is that this fight would be already signed and sealed if not for Manny Pacquiao and his inability to give in to one contractual stipulation.
You would think that Manny could be a bit more flexible about bending slightly, just this one time, considering the fact that he's had an easy go of it, pretty much forcing his opponents to give in to his every contractual whim since the second Morales fight in 2006.
After all, this was a contractual demand that would benefit neither man. Both would be subject to random blood tests by the USADA ...so... Even playing field, right? It's not like Mayweather was asking Manny to put himself at a major physical disadvantage, ala Pacquiao vs. (fill in the blank).
But, oh I forgot, Manny is afraid to give blood too close to a fight. I know this because the Pacquiao fans have been circulating a foreign language youtube video where Manny says that his first loss to Morales was because he gave blood too close to the fight.
Well, fear not, Manny...The USADA is used to dealing with the finest athletes in the world in the world's biggest sporting events...I promise they will not cut you with a rusty razor and suck out 2 pints as you make your ring walk. You have my word on that.
As a matter of fact, the USADA would only extract, literally, drops at a time, about a teaspoon of blood...that's all that's required for the testing. Hell, if this fight gets signed, I'll even send over some Sunny Delight and a box of cookies to help you "recover."
Sadly, this may be a moot point now. Bob Arum has already issued the "Mayweather is chicken" press release, signaling the end of the discussion and the worker bees in the so-called boxing media have already started posting the press release as a news story...Isn't it funny how Arum punctuates every hissy fit against Mayweather with a "Floyd is afraid" press release? Like clockwork.
But, be fair and keep in mind what has happened during these negotiations. The noise hasn't been coming from Mayweather and crew this time...No, the belligerent one has been Pacquiao as the veneer of humble super hero slipped off to reveal a man just as stubborn and ego-driven as Mayweather.
While Floyd Mayweather has remained quiet during the negotiation process, we've heard excuses, deflections and lawsuits from the Pacquiao camp. Phobias of needles, fear of giving blood, 10 million dollar weight penalties, superstitions, false claims about the accuracy of blood testing, slams against the USADA, pointless schedules for blood tests, etc...
The real world's not a comic book...there's no such thing as super heroes...
***Just for the record***
Earlier today, I contacted an expert on the blood testing issue with over 30 years of practical experience. I asked him about Team Pacquiao's assertions that there were no accurate tests available for HGH and about their desire to have scheduled blood tests 30 days before the fight and immediately after, rather than random testing. Here's what he had to say:
"Yes there are many immunoassays on multiple platforms that can assay growth hormones. Fred (Roach) was wrong. Yes, blood/serum/plasma would be the media of choice that would provide the most precise assay. Yes, 30 days before and after is useless because the body will metabolize the drugs during that time period. (As for the amount of blood to be drawn) A teaspoon ~ 5 ml would be sufficient."
6 comments:
I love your points, however many seem to ignore logic. You will get a lot of backlash for your article..Great points!! rrslade on twitter
Thanks! Logic is a hater's Kryptonite...
Each man holding a strong stand based on fear, worry, principle, not giving in, whatever. The term "work together to meet an agreement" did not hold true the final hours of mediation. It cannot work when one side does not meet or budge. Reports were Team Pacman offered a compromise, to no adeau. No counter offer or counter compromise by Team Money, although supposedly Schaefer, Ellerby urged Floyd to agree, reports were he would not sign.
Maybe it's all hype, Mayweather scheming more promo and hype time ala 'rib injury' vs Marquez.
More odds though he is scared than Pacquiao is on roids.
quote: Manny on Roids or Floyd on Scare-oids
well, the fact of the matter is that there can't be a compromise on this issue...A test is either random or it isn't...
You can't agree to a random test and then make limits as to when you can and can't be tested...
Id agree if this were alreay a standard in boxing but it isn't, it's not even implimented for Mosley vs Berto. Your article along with Team Floyd and GBP are basing on the assumption that Pacquiao is already guilty of using roids.
This is in America homie, not Mexico ;) people are innocent until proven guilty.
Ghost, It has nothing to do with being guilty...It has to do with a pre-fight stipulation...Team Mayweather isn't trying to force only Manny to do the test...Mayweather will be taking it too...Remember, demanding pre-fight stipulations above and beyond the reach of the commission is a precedent set by Pacquiao...
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